When asked by a reporter if they discussed Chinese cyberattacks on the US, Liang said “I can hardly agree with the proposition that the cyberattacks directed to the United States are directly coming from China."

“It’s true, as the general pointed out, that obviously there are other countries, actors, others involved in some of the attacks that both of our countries receive,” Panetta said, the Associated Press reported.

But Panetta said it was important that the countries work together on cyber issues to avoid "any miscalculations that could lead to a (future) crisis."

Liang will travel to the headquarters of US Southern Command on Tuesday and meet with its commander, Gen. Douglas Fraser. The defense official said that meeting will focus on cooperating on disaster relief and counternarcotics missions.